Scientific Name
Ctenopoma multispine

Common Name
Manyspined ctenopoma

Biology
Occurs in vegetated riverine backwaters, floodplain lagoons, swamps and isolated pans. Feeds on any suitably small creature, including insects, shrimps, and small fish. Well camouflaged; hunts by slowly stalking prey. May congregate in groups to breed. The eggs are scattered around and not guarded. Can endure warm stagnant waters and is known to leave the water and move overland to alternative sites in wet weather or at night (Ref. 7248).

Classification

Classified By

Peters, 1844

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Climbing gouramies (Anabantidae)

Distribution

Region

Africa

Distribution

Africa: Lufira River, Lualaba-Upemba, Luapula-Moero in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Upper Zambezi in Zambia and Cubango-Okovango-Ngami in Angola and Botswana. Also known from the Kafue, rivers of coastal Mozambique, Cuanza, and southern tributaries of the Congo system (Ref. 7248).

Range

10°S - 28°S

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

24 °C

Water Temperature To

27 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Freshwater; ; pH range: 6.0 - 7.5; dH range: 5 - 20 benthopelagic

Trophic Level

3.78 s.e. 0.61 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

14.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Aquarium: commercial; bait: occasionally

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (28 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)